Six Elon students who were studying in Egypt have left the country after protests that broke out a little more than a week ago.
Five of the students flew on Tuesday to Istanbul, Turkey, Elon University spokesman Eric Townsend said. The sixth, who had been in Egypt with his family, left the country earlier.
As of Monday afternoon, the university wasn't releasing the students' names.
Townsend said none of the students had reported feeling in danger, but the university recommended they make other plans for study abroad during the spring semester.
Each of the students had been enrolled to study at The American University in Cairo. The five students who left Egypt on Monday now plan to study at the University of Haifa in Israel. Townsend wasn't sure about the sixth student's plans.
Each of the students had arrived in Egypt before the protests begin. Apart from the student who was living with his family, "They were in a beach area at the Red Sea" when protests broke out.
While many Americans have left Egypt or are making plans to leave, Haw River resident Larry Lee said his brother and his family are exceptions.
Jeff Lee, who is Larry Lee's brother, has been in Cairo since last summer with his wife, Carol Gray, and son, Cameron Gray-Lee. The family went there from Amherst, Massachusetts.
Carol Gray is studying toward an international human rights law degree at American University in Cairo. She is studying there through a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship.
Larry Lee said his brother and his family currently have no Internet connection and the university and schools are closed. They can't place phone calls out of Egypt but have been able to receive calls.
Lee said protests have happened only a block from where his brother and his family are living, but they feel safe and don't want to leave "because they are excited at being at 'history's window.'"
"Jeff says the military are doing a good job so far of keeping things peaceful without violence," Larry Lee said, but the family has plans to leave the country through Rotary International if they think they may be in danger.
Larry Lee most recently talked to his brother Tuesday morning.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has held power for nearly three decades. He announced Tuesday he won't run this year for another term but hasn't agreed to step down before then, which some protesters are demanding.